News Brief

Bill Would Limit Water Discharge Permitting of Pesticides

Rep. Bob Gibbs (OH) introduced the Reducing Regulatory Burdens Act of 2013 (H.R. 935). The bill would limit permitting of discharges to water of pesticides approved for use under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). The bill modifies provisions of that act and the Federal Water Pollution Control Act.

Gina McCarthy Nominated for Environmental Protection Agency Administrator

President Barack Obama nominated Gina McCarthy for the post of Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator. McCarthy currently heads EPA’s Office of Air and Radiation. She has already received the endorsement of Sen. Barbara Boxer (CA), chair of the Environment and Public Works Committee.

T&I Committee Takes Up Infrastructure Issues

During his State of the Union address, President Barack Obama proposed a program of investing in infrastructure, particularly energy and transportation, as a way to create jobs and stimulate the economy.  The House Transportation and Infrastructure (T&I) Committee delved into the issue.

The committee held hearings yesterday the featured proponents from infrastructure advocates, business, and labor. Speakers included

•  Edward G. Rendell, Co-Chair of Building America’s Future and former governor of Pennsylvania,
• Thomas J. Donohue, President and CEO of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and
• Terry O’Sullivan, General President of the Laborers’ International Union of North America.

The T&I committee will be looking at three major bills, one to address waterways and ports, one to address railroads, and finally a reauthorization of the surface transportation programs (i.e. highways and related automobile, trucking and transit programs).  The last surface transportation reauthorization was only for two years, rather than the typical five-year plan.  The last Congress punted, largely for lack of will or imagination to deal with the predicted shortfalls in revenues for highway funding, for which they were criticized by departing Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood.

Related posts and articles

At hearing on nation’s crumbling infrastructure, money is the theme (Halsey, A., Washington Post, Feb. 13, 2013)

The Federal Role in Infrastructure (Macheska, C., Save America’s Infrastructure, Feb. 14, 2013)

Hearing Highlights Federal Role in Infrastructure and Economic Importance of Transportation System (House T&I Committee news release, Feb. 13, 2013)

No easy funding fix for U.S. transportation woes –lawmaker (Palmer, D., Reuters, Feb. 13, 2013)

The State of the Union... and our Highways (Jones, P. D., Huffington Post, Feb. 13, 2013)

New Congress Gets to Work (Sort of), Other Federal Government News

A Look Back, 112 Congress Passed Transportation Bills

For all of its heel dragging, the 112^th Congress managed to pass some infrastructure-relate bills.  On the transportation front, it passed the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21^st Century Act (MAP-21).  MAP-21 was primarily and extension of highway programs through the end of September 2014 with authorization for small funding increases.

EPA Administrator Stepping Down

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lisa Jackson announced that she plans to leave the post early this year (read her statement→).  Deputy Administrator Bob Perciasepe is expected to lead the agency, possibly indefinitely.

House Transportation & Infrastructure Chair Promises Active Committee

Rep. Bill Shuster (PA), newly appointed chairman of the House T&I committee, committed himself to passing important legislation and assuring the committee is active in oversight.  Legislation priorities include reauthorization of the Water Resources Development Act and surface transportation programs.  Oversight goals include implementation of reforms enacted in MAP-21.

Missouri Senator Calls for Decision of Levee Project

Sen. Claire McCaskill (MO) requested that the EPA and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service resolve their issues related to levee and drainage projects in southeast Missouri, particularly including the St. Johns Bayou levee.  These Corps of Engineer projects were halted because of concerns over fish and wildlife habitat.*

*As we have often disclosed, Infrastructure Watch is based in Missouri.

American Reinvestment and Recovery Act News

$1 of Highway Spending Creates $2 of Economic Activity (Infrastructure Watch, Dec. 4, 2012)

Recovery Act: Most DOE Cleanup Projects Are Complete, but Project Management Guidance Could Be Strengthened (Government Accountability Office, Oct. 15, 2012)

GSA REPORT: OBAMA ADMINISTRATION BROKE STIMULUS RULES TO BUY CHINESE SOLAR PANELS (Hayward, J., Human Events, Sept. 25, 2012)

Feds ignore rules and use stimulus cash to buy Chinese solar panels (McElhatton, J., Washington Times, Sept. 17, 2012)

FL: Millions in fraud, waste rampant in federal energy stimulus, reveals state audit (Ossowski, Y., FloridaWatchdog.org, July 26, 2012)

Improving the Timeliness of Grant Closeouts by Federal Agencies and other Grant Management Challenges (Government Accountability Office, July 25, 2012)

Transportation Sec. LaHood jabs Republican critics of stimulus (Yokley, E., PoliticMo, July 10, 2012)

New Chair of Recovery Board Appointed (Recovery.gov, Dec. 27, 2011)

News about the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (Infrastructure Watch, Sept. 14, 2011)

Obama Hopes ‘Recovery Summer’ Will Warm Voters to the Stimulus (Cooper, M., New York Times, June 18, 2010)

Russell E. Train, Conservationist & Environmental Policy Pioneer, Died

Russell E. Train died yesterday, Sept. 17, 2012.  Train was one of the primary proponents of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969.  Richard Nixon, whom he previously served as Under Secretary of Interior, appointed him as the first chair of the Council on Environmental Quality; he served in that post from 1969 to 1977.  Gerald Ford appointed him Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.

Train became a leader in the World Wildlife Fund in 1978.  Train had previously worked in conservation organizations.  He became president of the Conservation Foundation in 1965 and in 1961 he founded the African Wildlife Leadership Foundation.  Under his leadership, the World Wildlife Fund expanded its role to preserving habitat as well as advocating for wildlife.

Infrastructure Watch (or at least a certain contributor) appreciates that Train was a collector of books, particularly those related to wildlife and conservation.  The Smithsonian Institution acquired his collection of Africana in 2004.

Related posts and articles

EPA History (1970-1985)

Former EPA Administrator Russell Train dies

Russell E. Train

Russell E. Train, Conservationist Who Helped Create the E.P.A., Dies at 92

Russell E. Train, former EPA head, dies at 92

Hunt Sworn In as Missouri Highway Commissioner

Joseph Hunt of St. Louis was sworn in as a member of the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission. Hunt is the general president emeritus of the Ironworkers International and has served as an official in the building and construction trades for more than 40 years. He has served as a board member of the Lambert St. Louis International Airport Commission, as a member of the National Heavy and Highway Alliance, and on the regional committee of the National Infrastructure Alliance. Hunt's term ends March 1, 2017.

The commission is a six-member citizens' panel that governs Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT). Members are appointed to staggered six-year terms by the governor and must be confirmed by the senate.

You can read the original post on the MoDOT blog here.

Federal Activity

Georgia Appeals Lake Lanier Decision
Infrastructure Watch has been loosely following the Lake Lanier case. A federal judge ruled that the Corp of Engineers could no longer divert water from the lake to supply water to the City of Atlanta. Georgia recently appealed the decision.

Related posts and articles:
Courts Could Affect Uses of Lake Lanier
Georgia Loses Lake Lanier Battle
Judge Winnows Down Central Question in Lake Lanier Case
Most Important Case for Georgia in Decades

Bill Would Authorized Reimbursement to States for International Water Projects
Rep. Ruben Hinojosa (TX) has introduced a bill (H.R. 947) that would authorized the International Boundary and Water Commission to reimburse the States of Arizona, California, New Mexico, and Texas for the costs of water projects undertaken under the jurisdiction of the Commission.

Missouri Transportation Commission Elects New Chair

The Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission recently elected Grace Nichols to serve a one-year term as chair. Nichols has been a member of the commission since March 2008. Prior to her appointment to the board, Nichols served as mayor of St. Charles and as a judge in St. Charles County.

Related posts and articles
Changing of the Chair
Ex-St. Charles Mayor Chairs MoDOT Governing Board

Missouri Dept. of Transportation Director Resigns, Interim Director Announced

Pete Rahn has announced his resignation as director of the Missouri Depatment of Transportation (MoDOT) effective April 23, 2010. He will be taking a position at the Kansas City-based engineering firm HNTB where he will lead the company’s national transportation practice.

The Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission appointed Chief Engineer Kevin Keith as interim director. He will serve while the commission searches for a new director, which is expected to take several months.

You can read the related MoDOT news releases here and here.

Missouri Governor Nominates Infrastructure and Environmental Board Members

Missouri Governor Jay “Boondoggle Bridge” Nixon announced appointments to some boards and commissions. The appointees will be subject to confirmation by the Missouri Senate.

Patrice E. Boehler, Dam and Reservoir Safety Council - Since 1998, Boehler has served as vice president of development for Westmore Group Inc., a provider of commercial real estate services. She also is president of Natural Resource Consultants Inc. and has worked on dam safety issues in that position for 19 years. Her term ends April 3, 2011.

Daniel G. Buxton, Dam and Reservoir Safety Counci - Buxton is a project manager/engineer for The Doe Run Co. and has been with the company since 1974. In his current position, he manages construction projects at plant sites, regularly inspects 11 Doe Run-owned regulated dams, and manages repairs and construction of the company's dams and spillways. His term ends April 3, 2011.

Kyle W. Drury, Dam and Reservoir Safety Council - Drury is senior design engineer at Bloomsdale Excavating Co. and has been with the company since 2004. He previously was a project engineer with Holcim (US) Inc. and an aviation engineer with Crawford, Murphy and Tilly Consulting Engineers. His term ends April 3, 2010.

Charles E. (Eddie) Adams, Jr., Hazardous Waste Commission - Adams is general manager of Adams Fertilizer Inc. in Senath. He has been with the business since 1985. Adams also was an agricultural pilot for Senath Aviation from 1984 to 2006. His term ends April 3, 2012.

Michael R. Foresman, Hazardous Waste Commission - Foresman serves as a part-time consultant for several environmental consulting firms. He retired in 2001 as president of Solutia Management Co. Inc., a remediation liability management subsidiary of Solutia Inc. His term ends April 3, 2013.

You can read the original news release here.

Missouri Environment & Infrastructure Roundup

Lead Contamination Continues in Herculaneum
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 7 is considering a range of enforcement actions against the Doe Run Resources Corporation, now that recent tests have shown more than one-third of a group of properties situated within a mile of the company's lead smelter in Herculaneum, contain lead at levels exceeding 400 parts per million (ppm), EPA's threshold for removing and replacing such soils.Of 372 properties sampled, 129 had at least one area exceeding the 400 ppm action level for lead. A total of 104 of those 129 "action level" properties have already undergone soil remediation within the past nine years, under work previously ordered by EPA. EPA intends to work with the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (MoDNR) to correct the problem by requiring Doe Run to implement a solution.Doe Run's facility at 881 Main Street in Herculaneum has been in operation for more than a century and is the largest smelter of its kind in the United States.

Both EPA and MDNR have taken a number of enforcement actions against Doe Run over the years, including EPA's July 2009 unilateral administrative order, directing the company to sample and test gravel driveways and surface yard soils from all homes within one mile of the smelter. Those tests, completed by a contractor hired by Doe Run, were completed last month, after which the company sent confidential letters to property owners and residents, informing them only of the test results from their respective properties. EPA received a full report of the sampling activity on October 8, 2009. A redacted copy of that report is available at www.epa.gov/region07/news_events/legal/.

See the original EPA news release here.

Stimulus Funds Aid Clean Up of Madison Co. Mine Superfund Site
EPA Region 7 has awarded a contract to an Ohio environmental firm to proceed with the cleanup of lead-contaminated soils at approximately 800 residential properties within the Madison County Mines Superfund Site in southeast Missouri. The contract is supported by more than $9.8 million in funding through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009.Environmental Quality Management, Inc., of Cincinnati, has a two-year base period with one option year, and a maximum possible award of $13,915,694, under the contract. Total ARRA funding for the contract is $9,885,000.The funding will enable EPA to proceed with the cleanup of an estimated 800 residential properties at the site over a two-year period, with additional funding to clean up 200 more residential properties in the third year of the contract.Madison County Mines Superfund Site is located in southeast Missouri near Fredericktown, in the Old Lead Belt where heavy metal mining has occurred since the early 1700s. Past mining operations have left at least 13 major tailings and chat deposits from mineral processing operations within the county. Wind and water erosion has moved the lead-contaminated material to residential surface soils, sediments, groundwater and surface water, posing threats to human health and the environment.

See the original EPA news release here.

Governor Makes Environmental & Infrastructure Nominations
Gov. Jay “Boondoggle Bridge” Nixon has announced several nominees to boards and commissions.

Jack Baker, Air Conservation Commission (reappointment) - Baker is a cattleman who was first appointed to the Air Conservation Commission in 2002 and has served as chairman and vice-chairman of the committee. He sits on the state board for the Association of Missouri Electric Cooperatives and has served on several cattle-related boards. Baker has received several awards and honors for his Angus cattle. His term ends Oct. 14, 2013.

Thomas B. Bradley, State Soil and Water Districts Commission - Bradley is a farmer who is currently serving his fifth term as treasurer for New Madrid County. He earned a bachelor's degree in agriculture, with a minor in geology, from Southeast Missouri State University. Bradley also has served as a member and treasurer of the New Madrid County Soil and Water District. The Governor has appointed him for a term ending Aug. 15, 2012.

Steven B. Martin, Missouri Agricultural and Small Business Development Authority - Martin is the division manager for Crop Production Services for Missouri and Arkansas and has worked in the agricultural industry since 1980. He has also worked for United Agri Products Inc. and for Terra Industries in sales and management. Martin also is involved in the operation of a family farm. The Governor has appointed him for a term ending June 30, 2014.

William J. Schumake, Dam and Reservoir Safety Council - Schumake has owned Town and Country Motors in Sedalia for 42 years. He has served as director of the Sedalia Pettis County Development Corporation, the Thompson Hills Investment Corporation, and the Sylvia G. Thompson Residence Center Inc. His term ends April 3, 2010.

You can read the original news release here.

Missouri Governor Makes Environmental Appointments

Missouri Governor Jay “Boondoggle Bridge” Nixon has announced appointments to several state boards and commissions with responsibilities in environmental policy and programs.

Dr. Raymond E. Bailey, Seismic Safety Commission - Bailey is construction management/services manager for ABNA Engineering. He holds a bachelor's degree in geological engineering from the Colorado School of Mines and an MS and doctorate from the Missouri University of Science and Technology. He was appointed to a term ending July 1, 2012.

Dr. Jeffrey D. Cawlfield (D), Dam and Reservoir Safety Council (reappointment) - Dr. Cawlfield is a professor of civil engineering at Missouri University of Science and Technology, and has been at the university since 1987. He currently is chair of the freshman engineering program at the school. Hew was appointed to a term ending April 3, 2011.

LaRee DeFreece, State Environmental Improvement and Energy Resources Authority - DeFreece, who holds a law degree from Washington University, is vice president and director of global sustainability consulting services for the architectural firm HOK. He was appointed to a term ending Jan. 1, 2011.

Bruce E. Manning, Safe Drinking Water Commission - Manning, who holds a Missouri "A" operator's license and a Missouri DSIII drinking water distribution operator's license, is the principal water treatment technologist for CH2M HILL. He has more than 30 years' experience in water quality management. He was appointed to a term ending Sept. 1, 2012.

Dianna R. Reed, Air Conservation Commission - Reed, a 27-year-old who holds a civil engineering degree and a law degree from the University of Missouri, serves on the program committee of the U.S. Building Green Council - St. Louis chapter and on the environmental and legislative committee of the American Bar Association Forum on the Construction Industry. She is an associate with the law firm of Greensfelder, Hemker & Gale. She was appointed to a term ending Oct. 13, 2012.

You can read the original news releases here and here.

New Missouri Transportation Commissioner Sworn In

Stephen R. Miller of Kansas City was sworn in this week as Missouri's newest Highways and Transportation Commissioner by Supreme Court Chief Justice William Ray Price, Jr. He was appointed earlier this month by Governor Jay “Boondoggle Bridge” Nixon.

Miller is an attorney with the law firm of Miller Schirger and has more than 25 years experience in construction law. He fills the vacancy left by the resignation of Mike Kehoe of Jefferson City and will complete his term, which runs through March 1, 2011.

You can see the original post from Missouri Department of Transportation blog here.

Northwest Missouri Water Wholesaler Formed

Eight water suppliers in northwest Missouri formed the Great Northwest Wholesale Water Commission. The purpose of the commission is to develop a wholesale drinking water supply for a 12 county region. This agreement is the culmination of six years of studies and negotiations. The charter members of the commission, each taking on a three year commitment, are:
-City of Albany
-City of Cameron
-City of Maysville
-City of Savannah
-Public Water Supply District No. 1 of Andrew County
-Public Water Supply District No. 2 of Andrew County
-Public Water Supply District No. 1 of Buchanan County.

Related articles and posts:
New ‘government’ meets

Missouri Transportation Commission to Get New Chair

Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission Chairman Mike Kehoe announced his immediate resignation from the commission. Kehoe's resignation means that Vice-Chairman David Gach of St. Joseph will be elected chairman and Rudy Farber of Neosho will be elected vice-chairman. Other members of the commission are Duane Michie of Caruthersville, Grace Nichols of St. Charles and Joe Carmichael of Springfield. Kehoe owns a car dealership in Jefferson City, MO.

Related posts and articles:
Kehoe resigns from transportation commission (KRCG-TV)
Mike Kehoe Resigns from Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission (Missouri Department of Transportation)

House Passes National Water Research and Development Initiative Act

The U.S. House of Representatives recently passed the National Water Research and Development Initiative Act of 2009 (H.R. 1145). IW previously posted a summary of the bill here.

National Water Research & Development Initiative Reported Out of House Committee

The National Water Research and Development Initiative Act of 2009 (H.R. 1145) is proceeding through the House of Representatives, where it was recently reported out of the Committee on Science and Technology. The bill would

-Establish an interagency committee on water supply.

-Establish a national water initiative coordination office with a full-time staff to support the work of the interagency committee.

-Require development of a plan that will prioritize federal water research and related funding.

-Establishes specific outcomes for federal agencies on the interagency committee including, among several others, a national water census.

-Authorize the Department of Energy to study the development of impaired waters for energy production.
Additional information is available on this House Committee on Science and Technology news release

New Commissioner Appointed to Missouri Highways & Transportation Commission

Joe Carmichael of Springfield was recently appointed to the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission. He is president and manager of the Springfield law firm Carmichael & Neal PC. He will serve a six-year term, which expires March 8, 2015.

Carmichael replaces Jim Anderson of Springfield, whose term on the commission ended March 1. Mike Kehoe, Jefferson City, and David Gach, St. Joseph, assumed the positions of commission chair and vice-chair, respectively, at the March 4 commission meeting. Hayti resident Duane Michie's term on the commission also was up March 1. He will continue to serve until a replacement is named. Other commission members are Rudy Farber, Neosho and Grace Nichols, St. Charles.

You can read the original Missouri Department of Transportation news release here.

President-Elect Obama Announces Environmental Nominations

President-elect Barack Obama has been announcing a string of nominations, including those in agencies that have environmental and infrastructure responsibilities. He has nominated Lisa Jackson to serve as Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Jackson currently serves as chief of staff for New Jersey Governor John Corzine and previously lead that state’s Department of Environmental Protection.

He named Nancy Sutley to head the Council on Environmental Quality. Sutley is deputy mayor of Los Angeles and formerly worked at EPA during the Clinton administration.

Former EPA Administrator Carol Browner will serve as a “climate czar.” This is a new position that will oversee climate change policy across the entire federal government.

Obama has nominated Steven Chu to serve as Secretary of Energy. Che presently leads the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.

Related articles and posts:
Obama names environmental team
Obama names choices for key environment and energy posts
Obama Announces Energy, Environmental Team

Changes to Missouri Design Professional Laws and Regulations

Several changes to Missouri laws and regulations taken effect that have an impact on engineers, architects and other design professionals. To start, Governor Matt Blunt’s reorganization of state government that created the Department of Insurance, Financial Institutions and Professional Registration has been adopted as law (SB 788). The Division of Professional registration was transferred from the Department of Economic Development to the new department. The division houses the Board for Architects, Professional Engineers, Professional Land Surveyors and Landscape Architects, which regulates those professions in the state and licenses professional in those fields.

Rules for engineers have changed to allow applicants without accredited engineering degrees or without having taken the Fundamentals of Engineering exam if they can demonstrate satisfactory experience of 20 years. They must still take the Principles and Practice of Engineering Exam (20 CSR 2030-4.050). This reflects changes to state law.

Fees for licensure renewal were dropped from $100 to $60 (20 CSR 2030-6.015). Licenses must still be renewed biennially.

The board may now audit continuing professional education of engineers and surveyors if there is a complaint against the licensee (20 CSR 2030-8.020 and 11.015). A new rule also addresses continuing education requirements for landscape architects (20 CSR 2030-11.035).

Finally, rules were adopted to clarify the responsibilities where multiple engineers work on a project (20 CSR 2030-21.020). Another rule clarifies who may be a managing agent for engineering corporations (20 CSR 2030-10.010).